Paul Holdsworth, Engineer
31 Jan : Updated 12 Apr ● 6 min read
Smart home technology - what is it?
The way we’re living in our homes is evolving. Thanks to advancements in technology we’re now able to have more control over our home appliances. Smart home technology allows us to monitor appliances within our home more closely. Whether it’s via an app or through a smart home hub, they’re a time saver as well as a money saver.
Although home technology may sound complicated, it’s really quite straightforward. Once you’re all set up, you’ll be able to experience the comfort and ease of smart home technology making your daily life that much easier.
What is a smart home?
A smart home is essentially a living space where the technology is all connected. Whether you’re using an app from a mobile device or via voice assistance - smart home technology is a great way of upgrading your home.
Almost any appliance within your household can use smart technology. From a smart alarm system to a lightbulb, the possibilities for smart home technology are endless.
Here are just a few that are available to you right now:
Google Home Mini
Portable, straightforward, and reasonably priced - the Google Home Mini is an excellent way to control your home appliances by simply speaking. All you have to do is say ‘Hey Google’ followed by a command, such as ‘turn on living room lights’, and the device will seamlessly carry out your instruction.
You can even listen to music, receive weather/news updates, and set alarms. Why not surf the internet by using voice assistance? Any questions that you need answered, just ask the Google Home Mini. It’ll give you an answer or send you the relevant webpage through to your mobile device.Google Nest Cam Outdoor
Home security has never been this advanced. The Google Nest Cam Outdoor is the ultimate protection for you and your family, 24/7. You’ll have eyes all over your property, wherever you are. Day or night, you’ll know exactly who’s supposed to be there and who isn’t as you watch a live stream straight from your mobile.
Receive updates directly to your mobile device as this smart camera can recognise a person from just a thing. Whatever the weather forecast, the Google Nest Cam Outdoor works perfectly in any weather condition. Reliable, safe, and simple to set up - every family home can benefit from this smart home tech.
YALE Keyless Connected Smart Lock
Always losing your keys? It can happen to anyone. You’ll never need a standard key again with the Yale Keyless Connected Smart Lock. Simply open your smart lock with your smartphone, key tag, key card, or phone tag.
This piece of equipment provides you with a bit more freedom when entering and leaving your home. Whilst the addition of the traditional pin code eliminates the need for any keys, it also provides you with that extra bit of security. A master pin code that only you and your family will know. At a reasonable price and quick installation, the Yale Keyless Connected Smart Lock gives you the peace of mind that your home is 100% safe.
Google Nest Learning Thermostat
This smart home technology is a money saver. Prone to accidentally leaving the heating on before you leave for work? That’s now a thing of the past. Control your thermostat straight from your mobile with the Google Nest Learning Thermostat, as you turn on and off your heating with complete ease. Set heating schedules to evolve around your heating habits, so you’ll always be at a temperature that’s right for you.
Built with a clear, easy-to-use interface, you’ll know exactly what temperature you’re at - always. The Google Nest Learning Thermostat also connects to smart home hubs so you can control via voice assistance - such as the Echo Dot or Google Nest Mini.
Philips Hue Smart lights
Discover the latest way of lighting up rooms in your household with Philips Hue Smart light. By connecting to Bluetooth via your smartphone, you’ll be able to choose from a plethora of colours to find your ideal atmosphere.
From movie nights to having friends over - experiment with the shade and mood to create the ambience of your liking. Also, you can effortlessly set this up to your Google Mini Nest, so you can switch on your new lights via voice assistance.
Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell
Take home security to a whole new level with the Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell. Now, whenever your doorbell rings you’ll be made precisely aware of who’s waiting outside your door.
Maybe you’re expecting a parcel, but you’ve left for work? Not a problem. When your doorbell is rung, you’ll receive a notification to your mobile, where you’ll be able to have a conversation straight from your phone. Equipped with HD video means you’ll receive a picture quality that’s as clear as day - instantly from your mobile phone. Uninterrupted streaming for your safety.
Smart home tech of the future
Smart home technology is growing rapidly each year, with more and more home appliances becoming smarter - but what can you expect from smart homes in the future? Aside from everything becoming wireless there are going to be some big developments in tracking our physical and emotional health.
Smart home technology is expected to expand to our toilet facilities. By using cutting edge technology, a smart toilet would be able to detect any diseases or infections a user may have. The smart toilet will analyse waste and make it easier for us to monitor our health.
Moreover, even our beds will become smarter. With many people struggling to sleep at night, smart beds are able to monitor our sleep patterns to help people get a healthy night’s sleep. Similarly to the smart toilet, the smart bed will be an excellent way of keeping an eye on our health. By monitoring our heart rate and breathing, the bed will be able to adjust itself to match the needs of the user by sensing pressure points and restfulness.
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